Aston Villa could reportedly break their transfer record to sign Portuguese star Pedro Goncalves from Sporting CP in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to Sport Witness, Aston Villa are eyeing up a move for Sporting CP’s €80 million-rated winger Pedro Goncalves ahead of a busy transfer window.
It’s been a hugely encouraging start to the new season for Unai Emery and Aston Villa, who currently sit fifth in the table—a position that is likely to result in Champions League qualification—while the club’s tally of 23 Premier League goals has been bettered by only Newcastle (24).
Villa will also be hoping to go all the way in the Europa Conference League under the tutelage of knockout specialist Emery, but to ensure Villa don’t fall away during the hectic period post-Christmas, January reinforcements are being eyed.
The summer transfer window was a busy time for the West Midlands outfit, and high-profile signing Moussa Diaby has already gotten in on the goals at Villa Park, while Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans are other strong signings with a wealth of experience.
The Villains were heavily linked with Federico Chiesa during the summer window, but a proposed £51 million move for the Italian international never materialised. But it now appears that Emery has his eyes on a new wide target who could well smash the club’s existing transfer record, which stands at £52 million paid to bring Diaby last summer.
Portuguese star Pedro Goncalves is the name turning heads at Aston Villa, and Emery is believed to be a huge fan of the winger. The 25-year-old, who was previously on the books at Wolves, has been a revelation for Sporting CP in the last four seasons, and he has won one league title and two Portuguese League Cups.
He has had a slow start to this season in comparison to his high standards, with just two goals and two assists in eleven appearances, but had produced 20 goals and 15 assists to his name across all competitions last season, showing the 25-year-old has an eye for goal while remaining a prime creator for teammates.
With his numbers in Liga Portugal, he has been compared to previous talents who have gone to more prestigious leagues in Europe, with him being labelled the “new Bruno Fernandes.”
A link-up alongside Moussa Diaby behind in-form marksman Ollie Watkins would potentially create one of the most potent attacking trios in the Premier League, while Goncalves can also occupy the right-wing position.
As Villa look to progress further under Emery, Goncalves could well be the man to get fans out of their seats at Villa Park, and it would represent a real statement from the upwardly mobile Midlands outfit if they can get a deal over the line in the near future.
Having said that, Goncalves only penned a contract extension as recently as last month, which runs until 2027 and has a release clause worth €80 million. The report adds that the buyout price may seem exorbitant, but considering the financial clout of English teams, it is said that it may “not be enough” for the Lions to keep him around.
